Authority Auto Sales is a distributor, not a retailer you buy from directly

Authority Auto Sales is a wholesale distributor of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and aftermarket automotive parts. It sells to repair shops, dealerships, and other businesses — not to individual car owners. If you arrived here looking to buy parts for your own vehicle, you will not place an order with Authority Auto Sales yourself. Instead, you order through a retail shop, dealership, or online retailer that stocks Authority's inventory.

Understanding the difference between a distributor and a retailer matters because it changes where you actually spend money and who you contact with questions. A distributor is the middle step: manufacturers make parts, distributors like Authority buy them in bulk and store them in warehouses, and then shops and retailers buy from the distributor to sell to you.

Authority Auto Sales operates regionally and serves independent repair shops, chain shops, and dealerships across multiple states. The company stocks both OEM parts (made by the vehicle manufacturer or an authorized supplier) and aftermarket parts (made by third-party manufacturers). Your local shop may order from Authority without you ever knowing the distributor's name.

Key Takeaways

  • Authority Auto Sales sells wholesale to repair shops and dealerships, not directly to consumers, so you cannot order parts from them yourself.
  • When your shop orders parts, they may source from Authority Auto Sales or another distributor depending on inventory, price, and their existing relationships.
  • OEM parts from Authority come with manufacturer backing and fit specifications, while aftermarket parts from the same distributor may cost less but vary in warranty coverage.
  • Asking your repair shop where they source parts can help you understand lead times and costs, though most shops do not disclose their distributor relationships.

How parts flow from Authority to your repair shop

When you take your car to a repair shop and the technician determines you need a replacement part, the shop checks its own inventory first. If they do not have the part in stock, they contact a distributor — which may be Authority Auto Sales, a competitor like LKQ, or a manufacturer-direct supplier. The shop places an order, the distributor ships the part to the shop's location, and the shop installs it and bills you.

This process usually takes one to three business days for common parts in stock at the distributor's warehouse. Rare or discontinued parts may take longer because the distributor has to source them from a secondary supplier or manufacturer. Your shop will tell you the expected timeline when they call you with a repair estimate.

The shop's choice of distributor depends on several factors: whether they have an account and credit line with that distributor, whether the distributor stocks the specific part, the distributor's price to the shop, and how quickly the distributor can deliver. You do not choose the distributor — the shop does — but you can ask your shop which distributor they use and whether switching to a different one would change your timeline or cost.

OEM versus aftermarket parts from the same distributor

Authority Auto Sales stocks both types, and the difference matters for warranty, fit, and price. OEM parts are made by the vehicle manufacturer or an authorized supplier under the manufacturer's specifications. They carry the manufacturer's warranty (usually 12 months or the remainder of your vehicle's factory warranty, whichever is shorter) and are may provide to fit your specific year, make, and model.

Aftermarket parts are made by independent manufacturers like Dorman, Motorcraft (Ford's parts brand), or others. They fit most vehicles in a category but may not be engineered to the exact same tolerances as OEM parts. Aftermarket parts are cheaper — sometimes 30 to 50 percent less than OEM — but warranty coverage varies widely. Some aftermarket parts carry a lifetime warranty, others carry one year, and some carry no warranty at all.

When your shop orders from Authority, they will present you with both options and the price difference. You decide which one to install. OEM is the safer choice if you want may provide fit and manufacturer backing. Aftermarket is the budget choice if you want to lower the repair bill and are comfortable with a different warranty structure.

What you should ask your shop about parts sourcing

Most repair shops do not volunteer information about their distributors because customers do not usually ask. But you can ask, and the answer tells you something useful about your shop's operations. A shop that works with multiple distributors and can source parts quickly is more flexible than one that relies on a single supplier. A shop that stocks common parts in-house can often complete repairs faster than one that orders everything.

Ask your shop these questions when you get a repair estimate: "Where will you source this part?" "How long will it take to arrive?" "Can I choose OEM or aftermarket, and what is the price difference?" "Do you have this part in stock, or do you need to order it?" The answers help you understand the timeline and cost before you commit to the repair.

If your shop says they order from Authority Auto Sales or another specific distributor, that is normal and not a red flag. It means they have an established relationship and can get parts reliably. If they cannot tell you where they source parts, that is worth noting — a professional shop should know its supply chain.

Regional availability and lead times

Authority Auto Sales operates in specific regions, so availability depends on where your repair shop is located and which Authority warehouse serves that area. A shop in a region where Authority has a local warehouse may get parts next business day. A shop in a region where Authority serves through a regional hub may wait two to three days.

Lead times also depend on the part itself. Common items like brake pads, filters, and belts are stocked at most distributors and ship quickly. Specialized parts, trim pieces, or electronics may take longer because they are ordered less frequently and kept in smaller quantities. Your shop can tell you the expected lead time when they call to place the order.

If you need a repair quickly and your shop cannot source the part fast enough, ask whether they can source it from a different distributor or whether a used or refurbished part is an option. Some shops have relationships with multiple distributors specifically to handle urgent repairs.

How distributor choice affects your repair bill

The distributor your shop uses does affect your final bill, but not always in the way you might expect. A distributor with lower wholesale prices does not always mean lower prices for you, because shops factor in their own markup, labor, and overhead. A shop that uses an expensive distributor but has high volume and low overhead may still charge you less than a shop using a cheaper distributor.

What matters more is whether your shop negotiates well with its distributors and passes savings to customers. Some shops buy in bulk and get volume discounts, which they pass along. Others buy small quantities and pay higher per-unit costs. You cannot control this, but you can compare repair estimates from different shops to see which one offers the best total price for the same repair.

If you are having the same repair done at two different shops, ask both shops whether they can source OEM or aftermarket parts and what the price difference is. This comparison shows you not just the shop's labor rate but also how they source parts and what markup they explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order parts directly from Authority Auto Sales?

No. Authority Auto Sales is a wholesale distributor that sells only to businesses like repair shops and dealerships. You must order through a retail shop, dealership, or online retailer that stocks Authority's inventory.

How do I know if my repair shop uses Authority Auto Sales?

Ask your shop directly. They will tell you which distributors they work with. Most shops use multiple distributors depending on the part and availability. Knowing the distributor does not change your repair, but it can help you understand lead times.

Will using Authority Auto Sales parts cost more or less than other distributors?

Distributor choice affects the shop's wholesale cost, but not always your final bill. Shops with good distributor relationships and high volume may offer lower prices regardless of which distributor they use. Compare estimates from different shops to find the best price.

What is the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts from Authority?

OEM parts are made by the vehicle manufacturer and carry the manufacturer's warranty. Aftermarket parts are made by independent suppliers, cost less, and have varying warranty coverage. Your shop will present both options and let you choose.

How long does it take to get a part from Authority Auto Sales?

Lead time depends on whether the part is in stock at the warehouse serving your area and how common the part is. Common parts usually ship within one business day. Specialized parts may take two to three days or longer.